error washed ove

ing. He lunged for the trash can, snatchin

ged, his composure shattering. He tried to grab

his collar, the same shade Joyce always wore.

ed her h

hanging my bandages," she said, her v

like a drowning man. Relief flooded h

We'll get it resized immediately. I'll

ged from the medical wing, he insist

rough a seriese of outrageously expensive boutiques, buying her thi

" he announced loudly in a jewelry store

nd necklace so heavy

hispered to her friend. "A tot

re just golden chains. The prais

a small, exclusive auction house. A

her m

er' s belongings by her father after he remarr

" she said, h

show of interest, immediately

but manageable. Alana was

, a new voice joined i

room, a smug look on her face, de

Alana said throu

just s

urning to him. "Tell her t

ced from Alana' s desperate

ana's arm. "It's just a piece of jewelry. Let h

ny physical blow. He was choosing Jo

g with rage. She turned back to th

lent. Joyce gape

e auctione

. A small, ho

d ran from the room, play

t Alana grabbed his arm. "You're n

ne. I'll go get the locket for

hed him go, then, on a dar

allway at the back of the auc

as comforting her, stroking

urmuring. "Don't cry. I'll get

yce whined. "I wanted to ta

find another way to punish her for this

in a vise. She couldn't breathe. She turned an

she was going, the city ligh

zed. A messag

lay. Meet me at the west parking garag

at that meant. Punishme

parking garage, a num

ietly. As she reached for the door handl

hing her stomach, her back. One of them kicked her leg

se, but the emotio

," one of the men grunted, deliveri

ard a

mpled and broken on the

zzed again.

text underneath read: "He says hello. Oh, and Dad is

image of her mother's locket

ain in her ribs. She had to go to that dinner

father's house. Every step was a fr